HABIBIYYA IF MAN BUT KNEW x MIGHTY BABY 72 SLD CD+5xtrk

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THE HABIBIYYA – If Man But Knew. Sunbeam Records SBRCD 5043. UK release. FACTORY SEALED CD. Originally issued in 1972 on Island Records’ HELP series. This edition issued in 2007 with the addition of 5 bonus tracks. MEMBERS: Conrad Archuletta, Susan Archuletta, Mike Evans, Roger Powell, and Ian Whitman. TRACKS: Two Shakuhachis, Koto Piece, The Eye-Witness, Mandola, If Man But Knew, and Fana-Fillah. BONUS TRACKS : Procession Of The God Intoxicated, Peregrinations, Pergrinations Continued, Another Ode, and Bird In God’s Garden. DESCRIPTION: In 1971, members of UK group Mighty Baby and a few Californian friends made visits to Fez (Fes) and Meknes, in Morocco, that left a profound and lasting impression. Converting to Sufism upon their return to London, they recorded and released an album as The Habibiyya, or the followers of spiritual teacher Muhammad Ibn al-Habib. The resulting music disarms expectation with its reverence, beauty, and sincerity. The back story, as detailed in the liner notes, is fascinating in its own right though too convoluted to get into here. Yet it's not important when listening to the music itself. While much of the Moroccan music that had so impressed the group has its historical roots in Andalusian Spain, the group use whatever instruments they have at hand for this recording, including shakuhachis, hand drums, zithers, mandola, flute, banjo, oboe, and viola. This uncommon mixture makes for a unique and pleasant listening experience. The musicians fasted for three days prior to recording, and then they began each session with an hour of meditation. Their methods paid off, for the music is clear and stunning in their attempts to channel the divine. Using no overdubs, drums often set the tone while the other instruments swirl around them in distinct layers. Tranquil but never boring, these songs are enchanting spiritual explorations that reach to trance-inducing heights. While several songs are instrumentals, when the group does sing, their harmonies are a transcendent pleasure. Further entwining themselves with Ibn al-Habib, the lyrics they sing are actually the master's own words. The original LP contained six songs, but on this first-ever CD appearance, five more tracks from the same sessions are included. It's hard to see why some of them weren't included on the original release (probably time limitations), especially Peregrinations and its stunning successor, Peregrinations Continued . Unlike many reissues that offer bonus tracks, there's no drop in quality here. This is devout music made by serious adherents of the Sufic order. Although The Habibiyya made no more recordings together, the one they did make is a gorgeous document that still sounds vital and relevant today. If you have any questions or if you have additional information, especially corrections, to the description, please e-mail me. PLEASE CHECK OUT MY OTHER CURRENTLY LISTED ITEMS AND EBAY STORE. TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS: SS: Still Sealed. Short abbreviation that will appear in the title line of my listings. This item is new and unplayed. Also appears in the listing as Sealed CD or Factory Sealed CD. NEW CD: This item is new and unplayed, but was received from a supplier without being shrink wrapped or cellophane wrapped; more common on imports but also many of the smaller independent US labels do not seal their CDs; some have it both ways (for which I have no prior knowledge of or choice when placing my orders). Other companies use resealable clear outer sleeves which are used on some import and domestic releases. If I receive an item this way it will be shipped as I received it and not opened up. All CDs that do not come in an outer packaging wrap are inspected by me prior to shipping. It is not unusual to find small imperfections in the disc, especially on European manufactured CDs; these small imperfections do no effect the play of the disc. If, for any reason, a disc does not play it is fully guaranteed by me and is returnable for refund or replacement (see my ... read more

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